How to Add Background Music to a Voiceover
Updated October 2026
Background music adds mood, but it must stay under the words. Choose music that suits the voice, set it low, duck it under speech, and check it on a small speaker.
The short version
- Choose music with a steady, simple texture that does not fight the voice.
- Set the music well below the voice before you duck it.
- Duck the music under the speech, so it returns in the gaps.
- Check the balance on a phone speaker, where many listeners will hear it.
Choose the music
Pick music without a strong vocal in the same range, and with a steady feel rather than sudden changes. Music that changes a lot pulls attention away from the words.
Set the level
Start the music low, well below the voice, then bring it up only as far as you can hear it under the words. A background that you can hear clearly on the first listen is usually too loud.
Duck it
Duck the music under the speech, so it lifts in the pauses. The ducking explanation describes how it behaves.
Check it
Listen on headphones and on a small speaker. Make sure the words are clear, and the music is there without being in the way.
Music under the words
Tunedzy’s Multitrack lets you duck music under a voice and export the mix at a loudness target.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
How loud should the music be?
Low enough that the words are clearly the focus. Listen on a phone speaker.
Can I use any music?
Only music you have the right to use. Check the licence before you publish.
Why does the music cover the voice?
It is too loud or not ducked. Lower it and duck it under the speech.
Keep going
How to Duck Music Under a Voiceover
How to Record a Voiceover on Your Phone
How to Make a Podcast Intro and OutroAll guides and comparisons · Tunedzy Go on your phone · Pricing